Category: Blog Series Page 2 of 234

BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Dogged by Michael R. Fletcher

On October 28, 2026

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Michael R. Fletcher’s Dogged (one of my favorite books of 2025)! I’ll be reposting my rave about it later this morning, but don’t take my word for it, Dogged made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Dogged by Michael R. Fletcher
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 295 pg.
Publication Date: December 15, 2025

About the Book:

WARDOGS ARE BORN TO DIE.

In the final days of the Demon Empire a lone wardog goes in search of the answer to the only question she cares about: Who murdered her mate?

Utterly unqualified to solve a mystery, Dogged Determination has but one advantage: She never, ever gives up.

From the heart of a massive empire to the deepest foreboding jungles, Dogged is an unstoppable force of will.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Michael R. Fletcher is a science fiction and fantasy author, a grilled cheese aficionado, and a whiskey-swilling reprobate. He spends his days choreographing his forklift musical (titled “Get Forked”), and using caffeine as a substitute for sanity. Any suggestions that he is actually Dyrk Ashton in disguise are all lies.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Devil Inside by Tom Lloyd

By HCNewton

On October 27, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Tom Lloyd’s Devil Inside! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Devil Inside by Tom Lloyd
Series: The Devil Diaries
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 401 pg.
Publication Date: May 15, 2025

About the Book:

My name is Eve Carnell. I’m 29 years old, single and have a devil in me. It’s not as cool as you might think.

My entire world fell apart when I was sixteen. Now all I want is a normal life, but that’s not easy when you’re on every “usual suspects” list going. And normal goes out the window the day MI5 come to ask me about my dead grandfather. They’re hunting a spy and while I may be the absolute worst choice for the job, apparently I have a very particular set of skills. Who knew, right?

What is the opening line? I’ve been almost normal now for three years and three months.
What’s a fun fact about the book? some of it is based on actual events (just not the magic bits)
What food or drink pairs best with the book? a quality curry and a bottle of red wine
What music pairs best with the book? Wardruna

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Tom Lloyd was born in 1979 in Berkshire. After a degree in International Relations he went straight into publishing where he still works. He never received the memo about suitable jobs for writers and consequently has never been a kitchen-hand, hospital porter, pigeon hunter, or secret agent. He lives in Oxford, isn’t one of those authors who gives a damn about the history of the font used in his books and only believes in forms of exercise that allow him to hit something.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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Fantasy with Friends: Do You Enjoy Magical Realism?

By HCNewton

On October 26, 2026

In Books, Fantasy with Friends, News/Misc.

Fantasy with Friends is a weekly meme hosted by the good people over at Pages Unbound. Fantasy with Friends poses questions each Monday about fantasy, either as a genre as a whole or individual works.

This week’s prompt is:

Do you see magical realism as related to fantasy? Do you enjoy reading it? Why or why not?

I don’t know enough about Magical Realism to really answer this. From what I’ve read, the major writers in the genre/literary movement would say no. That’s not what it’s about. And I’m fine with that.

But every time I’ve read it–or something like it–it feels like a very restrained fantasy novel/story dressed up as the kind of literature that you can hear the capital “l” when you speak of it.

I guess one of the big ways that I personally categorize things as “magical realism” (guided by some things I’ve read) is that the magic really isn’t acknowledged as such, or defined as anything out of the ordinary. It’s just a thing that happens and characters roll with it. The magic also tends to be on the smaller, or at least subtle, side–at least for most of the novel/story, and then it might break forth into something bigger or dramatic.

The first time I encountered Magical Realism was in The Milagro Beanfield War–and I remember almost nothing about the book or film, and given how popular it was in my household growing up, that rather bothers me (please, no one tell my father). But I do vaguely remember how when the possible magic stuff happened how unremarked upon it was (at least by most characters). While in Like Water for Chocolate it was acknowledged, but it was just seen as part of life–just a thing that happens sometimes.

In Fantasy, you might get some people treating magic that way, but there will be those who won’t, too. Maybe that’s the easiest tell.

Do I enjoy reading it? Yes. Do I seek it out? No. Should I try to? Probably. I can think of three works that fit the description that I’ve written about here. One of the best novels I’ve read for this blog is Tiffany McDaniels’ The Summer That Melted Everything (maybe some of her other books fit that, too–although her MG books are flat out Fantasy), there might be more. Just the three works I’ve mentioned in this post tell me that I should do a better job of reading them (and that I need to re-read those I’ve mentioned, particularly John Nichols’ book).

So, at the end of the day, this is something I’ve only dabbled in. You’ll want to read the other posts linked to in the Pages Unbound post (as well as that post itself)..

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Corruption by Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren

By HCNewton

On October 26, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren’s Corruption! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Corruption by Alexander by Verbeek-van den Toren
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 203 pg.
Publication Date: January 13, 2026

About the Book:

When their ability to connect to the magical Flow disappears, Revan and the other students at his college’s island are stranded, surrounded by fiery seas separating habitable regions. Revan can’t retreat to his home island, only in contact with people who don’t know his true identity.

While most people only have one of the five crystals in their torso lit up, determining their role in society, Revan is among the few with more than one lit-up crystal. If anyone find out, he’ll be considered Othercrystalled, and cast from society.

Torn between his feelings for his male best friend and a female classmate, with his secret close to being revealed, Revan discovers evidence the magic might not have been cut off naturally. Someone might be using the chaos to hunt Othercrystalled. Someone full of Corruption.

What is the opening line? Revan could no longer form a gate with his magic.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I wrote this book after writing a fantasy novel where the worldbuilding felt too earthly. So in this I was like, let’s throw in ALLLLL the weirdness I can imagine.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? I think a soda would be nice! And some pizza, perhaps. Pretzels could also work well.
What music pairs best with the book? Queer songs would probably do well. Think It’s A Sin, or Smalltown Boy.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren is a Dutch writer who enjoys queer books and strange cultures, preferably even together, and loves both writing and reading about them. Alexander writes both in Dutch and in English; in English his debut novel ‘Corruption’ came out this year, in Dutch he regularly appears in collections and magazines with his short stories. Apart from writing Alexander is a child psychologist. He lives in Spijkenisse, near Rotterdam, together with his husband and their dog.

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My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Clipped by KQ Watson

By HCNewton

On October 26, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Clipped by KQ Watson’s Clipped! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Clipped by KQ Watson
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 352 pg.
Publication Date: May 31, 2025

About the Book:

Heaven was perfect, until they came for his son.

When angel engineer Zak’s infant son is cast down for being born without wings, he faces Heaven’s cruel mandate: forget, or fall. Clipped, Zak plummets to a broken Earth, where false prophets exploit the faithful, drug lords rule dead cities, and every truth comes with a price.

Pursued by ruthless angel hunters through decaying urban wastelands and corrupted mega-churches, Zak uncovers a conspiracy that reaches from Earth’s grimmest gutters to Heaven’s highest chambers. What begins as a father’s desperate search becomes a brutal quest for vengeance that will expose Heaven’s most devastating lies… and make them remember his son’s name.

What is the opening line? It’s not too late to repent. You know that, don’t you?
What’s a fun fact about the book? I am an amputee, several characters in my book are also amputees. For all intents and purposes, I consider the protagonist an amputee since his wings were cut from his back.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Food and drink is actually very important in the novel. There are so many possible answers to this question. I think I’m going to say a nice steak, chocolate mousse for dessert and a cheap rum and coke.
What music pairs best with the book? There is a playlist at the front of the book. My unofficial theme songs in my mind are Supertramp – Logical Song, XTC – Dear God, and A Perfect Circle – Talktalk

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

KQ Watson is the cyborg that you don’t take home to meet your parents. She looks innocuous and gentle, but there are oodles of satanic death metal songs continually playing in her head. Sometimes, when she’s all alone, she thinks back to some of her favourite episodes of Intervention and the best scenes from The People Under the Stairs.

She writes because what else is she going to do, let’s be real here.

One legged Canadian who likes The Dark Crystal more than she will ever like you.

The characters in her head keep her sane.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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Saturday Miscellany—10/24/26

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2026

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Is a Bad Jane Austen Adaptation a Victimless Crime?—Some really good thoughts on adaptations in general here
bullet Are We in a Reading Monoculture?—seems to be hot article this week.
bullet The 2026 Shamus Award Winners—a couple of favorites got some laurels this week—including well-deserved award for friend of the blog, Nick Kolakowski
bullet A World That Feels Lived In 500 Years From Now: An interview with Thomas Trang about the Asteroid Savage trilogy of novels—a trilogy I will definately try to finish this year (book was was great!)
bullet SPFBO Finalist Sale 2026—50+ ebooks from award-nominated authors on sale for $2.99 or less, throug the 26th.
bullet Is Everyone Reading the Same Thing? (And Is That Even New?)—Briana at Pages Unbound finds the Elle article above less than convincing.
bullet Why Adults Love Young Adult Fiction—yeah, this is a year-and-a-half old, but I just came across it. (somehow, I don’t remember where)
bullet 7 Bookish Pet Peeves

My favorite sentence/passage/phrase (or two) that I read this week:
“It’s the job of fourteen-year-olds not to be great at things, the only expectation they have to live up to is to be morons, they’re put on this earth so their moms and dads will support the headache-pill industry. It really, really isn’t the job of fourteen-year-olds to be geniuses.”—My Friends by Fredrik Bachman

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago This Week?
bullet John Bunyan and the Grace of Fearing God by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley
bullet Operation Cure Boredom by Dan Martin
bullet Elphie Goes Trick or Treating by Hagit R. Oron, Or Oron
bullet This Damned Band by Paul Cornell and Tony Parker
bullet Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts by David Ahern
bullet Raining Embers by Jessica Dall
bullet Before the Fall (Audiobook) by Noah Hawley, Robert Petkoff

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke—”A woman and her ghost roommate investigate their most personal case yet.” I talked about is recently.
bullet Mortality Gauntlet by JCM Berne—It’s Rohan vs. Hyperion again, will it be the last time? Find out in the ninth of the series.
bullet Split Screen by Lee Goldberg—”When Erin Casey, the actress who plays LASD detective Eve Ronin on TV, is gunned down after a ride-along, the intended target is obvious: the real Eve. What isn’t obvious is why.”
bullet The Christmas Carol Killer by Chris Frost—”It’s December and Durham is bustling with shoppers and visitors, as carollers fill the air with festive cheer – until a chilling murder shatters the peace. Retired teacher Alistair Morley is found dead, sheet music crammed down his throat, while The Coventry Carol plays in the background. DI Tom Stonem is called and soon thrust into a sinister investigation that reveals Morley was formerly choirmaster at the now-closed St. Bartholomew’s Academy.”
bullet Letters to Our Sons collected by Stephen Graham with Orly Klein—”Featuring letters from Olympian Tom Daley, actors Javier Bardem and Riz Ahmed, and documentarian Louis Theroux, as well as other fathers from all walks of life, this raw collection of advice, anecdotes, regrets, and joys, offers a powerful and inspiring look at father-son relationships and the true value of healthy masculinity.”
bullet Goblin Market by A. J. Hackwith—”A goblin changeling caught between the human and fey worlds must find a way to save her home in this warm and heartfelt fantasy.”
bullet Devil’s Advocate: The Anti-Divine Comedy by Amanda DeWitt—”The Devil went down to Georgia—and started a media conglomerate. Ada Faust’s dad isn’t just kind of an asshole, he’s the Devil himself, and he’s been bringing about the end of days for millennia. But even the Devil must adapt to thrive, and nothing will look better for the bottom line than if oil-executive-turned-politician Nelson Campbell wins the US Presidency. In fact, the world will get so apocalyptically bad that the Devil can retire and appoint one of his heirs to take over as Antichrist.”
bullet Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter by J. S. Barnes—This is either a gread idea or one of the worst of the year, “Seven years have passed since the events of A Christmas Carol, seven years since the night when Ebenezer Scrooge took to a life of philanthropy and kindness. But there is another side to Scrooge. Those afflicted by spirits and hauntings know of him as a man who can help rid them of the unquiet dead. Alongside his trusted companion and friend, Captain Ambrose, Scrooge faces off against malevolent poltergeists and supernatural wickedness.”

image source: @PRHSciFiFantasy on Twitter

BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Child of the Dragon by Ashley N.Y. Sheesley

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Ashley N.Y. Sheesley’s Child of the Dragon! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Child of the Dragon by Ashley N.Y. Sheesley
Series: Pact of the Ancients
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 435 pg.
Publication Date: March 10, 2026

About the Book:

Our only hope is the hope we forge ourselves.

Kat always thought her grandma’s stories of Rhaegynne—shapeshifting dragons—were just fairytales. But that all changes when her grandma is killed, and she learns that not only are they real, but she is one.

A prophecy and a curse set in motion ages ago, have now turned Kat’s quiet senior year into chaos. What was supposed to be a gift becomes a tool for breaking a curse that forces others to serve tyrannical kings who will use them to wage war and destruction across Earth.

But hope . . . is more stubborn than a curse.

Fighting alongside friends new and old, Kat must learn to harness the heart of the dragon in order to break the curse, destroy the kings, and save the dragons. All before succumbing to the curse herself.

Honestly? It’ll be a breeze compared to calculus.

What is the opening line? Nowhere in my plans for Friday night did I anticipate hiding behind a steel crate in a shipping yard with a dead body at my feet.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I initially started this book when I was in high school 15 years ago. At the time I was experiencing chased-by-dragons levels of stress, and wanted an escape, so I wrote about a girl in high school who could actually fight real dragons (and turn into a dragon because that was dope). That book has evolved so far over the years, but the initial idea came because, given the choice between dragons and high school drama…well…I think we’d all choose the dragons.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Dr. Pepper

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Ashley N.Y. Sheesley is an aroace and disabled author, scientist, animal lover, and a big fan of all things fantasy. In fact, she is only a scientist because she can’t figure out how to be a wizard in real life. She lives with her husband and her small army of animals—a bearded dragon, a bunny, and three cats. Her writing can be found in Artifice & Access: A Disability in Fantasy Anthology, Why Aren’t You Dead Yet?: A Disability in Dystopia Anthology, and with her award-winning debut YA contemporary fantasy, Child of the Dragon from Inked in Gray Press, the first book in the Pact of the Ancients series.

She is represented by Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Threads

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Awakening by KP Roberson

By HCNewton

On October 23, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for KP Roberson’s Awakening! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Awakening by KP Roberson
Series: Between the Birches
Genre: Horror, Contemporary Fiction, Supernatural Occult
Age Category: New Adult
Format: Hardcover, Paperback
Length: 286 pg.
Publication Date: July 11, 2025

About the Book:

STAY ON THE PATH, TRUST NO ONE BUT YOURSELF, AND BEWARE OF NIGHTMARES LURKING IN THE SHADOWS

Beneath the rolling hills of North Carolina lies an ancient evil, shackled for a millennium, and growing impatient for freedom. People have long forgotten the rule of magic and the guardians who contained his destruction, but the nightmares from their dreams hide in dark corners, very real and very much willing to do their master’s dark bidding.

For Beth’s 25th birthday, her husband and their best friend promised her a relaxing hike at their favorite spot on the Appalachian Trail. After the sun sets, the woods where Beth hoped to find peace turn sinister with talks of death cultists, witches, and interdimensional beings not native to this planet. If this wasn’t enough to shatter her trust foundations, Beth learns her role in this messed up weekend. She must find the courage to let go of her attachments and escape before the forest keeps her for good.

What is the opening line? She’d been running for ages.
What’s a fun fact about the book? The three MCs represent part of my journey from Christianity to Paganism.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Coffee and kettle-cooked chips; pizza, wings, and beer; or trail mix and bottled water.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

K. P. Roberson is a Georgia native living in the southern Appalachian Mountains. She lives with her very handsome and nerdy spouse, their two teenage spawn, and a very rotund cat who answers to ‘Kitty.’

She loves science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, and horror stories, especially if they are character driven. Her writings align with her tastes. She has also composed Stardew Valley fanfiction on Archive of Our Own. When not pounding away at her keyboard with a string of illicit words, she enjoys movies, music, reading, gardening, and crocheting…which explains her love of weaving a good tale. She is currently working on the finale of her Between the Birches trilogy, Zenith.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: An Absence of Artificers by Emma Bradley

By HCNewton

On October 22, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Emma Bradley’s An Absence of Artificers! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: An Absence of Artificers by Emma Bradley
Series: The Citadel Of Souls
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 310 pg.
Publication Date: December 6, 2024

About the Book:

Workshop owner by day and spy for the Menagerie by night, Molly dreams of swapping the Faerie citadel for the wider realms of Faerie.

The citadel isn’t safe and escaping it is rare, so when one of the recently missing Fae from the Artificers’ Guild turns up dead, Molly is determined to dig right to the core of the rot infesting her home.

But in a self-contained city where the enemy knows all the same routes she does, it won’t be long before they’re hunting her in return.

What is the opening line? The middle-aged woman slumped crying over her desk definitely didn’t abduct her husband.
What’s a fun fact about the book? Talie was originally meant to be an outright villain but she grew on me so much throughout edits that I had to change the arc to keep her.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? The closest thing to a meat pocket (nicer than it sounds I promise) is probably a Cornish pasty, so one of those with some berry juice
What music pairs best with the book? I was going through an Einaudi phase while writing it so I always associate his music with certain scenes. That or Linkin Park.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Emma lives on the UK south coast with her plant collection and a very lazy black Labrador who occasionally condescends to take her out for a walk. Aside from creative writing studies, an addiction to cereal and spending far too much time procrastinating on social media, Emma is still waiting for the arrival of her unicorn. Or a tank, she’s not fussy.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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WWW Wednesday—October 21, 2026

By HCNewton

On October 21, 2026

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

My already too-stacked “To Write About” pile is getting out of control thanks to this time being locked away from the world. But I’m not complaining. (I’ll save that until I get home and start yelling at myself)

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?


My Friends by Fredrik Backman	Elf Unwrapped: Behind the Scenes of a Modern Christmas Classic by Andy Richter with Aaron Karo

I’m used to Backman waiting until we’re well into a book before he decides to break your heart. But no, this appears to be 400 pages of it–with the expected laughs and heart-warming bits thrown in along the way. This book is going to leave me a wreck.

I needed Richter’s book to break this up a bit. And it’s working.

What did you recently finish reading?


Castaway Cays: Curse of the Sea Serpent by Amy Maren Rice	Eating Salad Drunk: Haikus for the Burnout Age by Comedy Greats edited by Gabe Henry

Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland	Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi

A Casebook of Crime by John & Andrew McAleer	Jester by Tim Carter

Upscaled by Joseph John Lee

Castaway Cays was as silly and sweet as I expected.

I talked about Eating Salad Drunk a bit last week–a very nice collection.

Four Ruined Realms really shows off Corland’s ability to keep the pace going, it’s almost impossible to put down.

I heard Scalzi read the prologue to Monsters of Ohio last year, the novel was nothing–I mean, nothing–like anything I imagined coming from that. I had a blast with it, and definitely want to do a re-read.

Carter’s Jester was just as entertaining as I’d hoped it would be. Ditto for Upscaled (although I really wish I owned the sequel right about now).

What do you think you’ll read next?


Whispers of the Storm by Z.B. Steele	Defy the Dark: 12 Fantasy Stories of Resilience edited by M.D. Presley

I’ve been putting Steele’s book for far too long, might as well take advantage of all this time I have to get to it.

I’m also in the mood for some short stories, so I’ll weave this collection into my reading, too. The lineup of authors is very promising.

Category: Blog Series Page 2 of 234

BBNYA:

Book Details:

About the Book:

Book Links:

About the Author:

BBNYA:

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